The americans have been accused of dirty tricks after European players were targeted by prank phone calls during the night before the Ryder Cup singles.

Lee Westwood and his wife Laurae were woken at 1am by a call at their Louisville hotel.

And other Europeans also had their sleep disturbed before attempting to overturn a 9-7 deficit on the final day.

Former captain Bernard Gallacher said his team had suffered the same sneaky tactics during the infamous War on the Shore at Kiawah Island in 1991.

And the Scot blamed US skipper Paul Azinger who told home fans they could cheer missed putts by the Europeans, for stoking up the bad atmosphere.

"We had that all week at Kiawah Island," said B BC Five Live commentator Gallacher. "There the hotel maids were bribed U100 by the local radio station to give out our room numbers and we had calls at all hours.

"This week it was OK until just before the crucial singles. It is dirty tricks. But that is what happens when you incite the crowd."

The electric atmosphere at Valhalla definitely helped the Americans last night as rookie Anthony Kim thrashed Sergio Garcia in the opening singles match. The 23-year-old rookie won 5&4 to move United States a point closer to the 14.5 they needed to win back the trophy for the first time since 1999.

He said: "I have never had so much fun on a golf course. I could feel the chill going up my spine - I loved every minute.

"It is the excitement of a lifetime. I will draw on that and the friend-ships I have made this week for the rest of my career - it has been a great experience."

Garcia said: "I feel like I started well but unfortunately a couple of misses on seven and eight didn't help.

"After that I started to get back into it but the short miss at 11 put the dagger into me. Unfortunately I just couldn't get anything right today."

Kim saved par on the 14th to seal a 5&4 victory and was so excited he initially failed to realise the match was over and headed for the 15th tee.

Paul Casey produced a stunning performance on the 18th to take a half in his match with Hunter Mahan.